The RONDEL is an isosyllabic, three stanza form consisting of 13 lines, two of which are refrains (repetitive lines). The rondel poem, a traditional form of French origin, also has a rhyme scheme of two.

The 13 lines are made with two quatrains and a quintet, rhyming as follows:
ABba abAB abbaA.



Example by Charles D. Orleans:

Rondel

Strengthen, my Love, this castle of my heart,
And with some store of pleasure give me aid,
For Jealousy, with all them of his part,
Strong siege about the weary tower has laid.
Nay, if to break his bands thou art afraid,
Too weak to make his cruel force depart,
Strengthen at least this castle of my heart,
And with some store of pleasure give me aid.
Nay, let not Jealousy, for all his art
Be master, and the tower in ruin laid,
That still, ah Love! thy gracious rule obeyed.
Advance, and give me succour of thy part;
Strengthen, my Love, this castle of my heart.